"Why, 'fore this yere town was organised, when we hadn't got no Court of Arbitration to fix a boundary, or even to hang a thief, we had our 'main Push,' just like we was 'Frisco."

'Fore God, the wisdoms and the greatnesses Of seeming, are they hollow all, as things Of naught?

Finally, Ralph made his voice heard above the uproar: "Boys," he said, "they ain't no use o' quarrellin'; we'll all find out the truth about it 'fore very long.

These folk at Staithes do not disturb one with cries of 'Fore!'

De wheat'll be free inches high on ebery oder farm 'fore ole miss git dem plough han's agin.

"And where are Miss Roberta March and Master Junius Keswick?" "Miss Rob went Norf day 'fore yestiddy," was the answer, "an' Mahs' Junius done gone 'long to 'scort her.

" "'Fore heaven!

This fact the horseman did not fail to notice, and with a ready eye to the main chance, which showed its possessor to be a man of no ordinary apprehension, he glanced approvingly at the groined porch, the richly carved pinnacles above it, and at the quaint belfry beyond, exclaiming with great enthusiasm: "'Fore God, you have a goodly dwelling and a rich here.

"'Fore George, Mr Ark, luck is all on the dishonest side to-day," said the veteran, so soon as he perceived by the direction which the "Dolphin" took, that the encounter was likely to be renewed.

but they said they worked harder 'an ever they done in their lives, 'fore or since.

Starve 'fore we git back like we used to be.

'fore it was done.

"I didn't know what school was 'fore freedom, but I went about a month after peace was declared.

Jes' 'fore I married I got to go to school four months' close to Cotton Plant, where I married.

She was sick a long time 'fore she died.

'Fore de Surrender, dey turnt de house to face Seventh Street 'cause de town was growin' an' a heap o' folks was buildin' houses.

Dey said, 'No, dat's de river comin' th'ough an' you better come back 'fore de water ketch[FN: catch] you.'

I declare I thought they'd trample ye 'fore ye could git yer eye unsot.

"Nay," said I, "'fore God, Hugo Gottfried was more sorry for the poor deceived slave than any here.

"Hit seem lak months 'fore we roun' de Cape an' head back north on de Pacific, an' hit seem lak a year 'fore we drop anchor in Hong Kong.

She was sold and taken away 'fore I ever knew anything of her.

Ole Gundover said, 'fore he died, dat he would let de lan' grow up in trees 'fore he'd sell it to us.

I may see my chillen 'fore I die.

I aint the sort to go back on my word,fishermen aint, ye know,an' what I 'd said to myself 'fore I knowed who I was bindin' myself to, I stuck to a'terwards when I knowed all about him.

"'Fore I die ye'll hev a hole er tew 'n thet air karkiss o' yourn.